Sources said Thursday that cable network AMC has informed the show's producer, Lionsgate, of its intention to pick up the drama series for a third season, contingent upon the studio's ability to negotiate a new deal with creator/executive producer Matthew Weiner.

Weiner is not signed on beyond the show's current second season, which has its finale October 26. He has been in talks with Lionsgate for the past couple of months while also exploring the possibility of a development deal elsewhere.

"Mad Men," which centers on Madison Avenue advertising agencies in the early 1960s, garners modest ratings -- Sunday's episode averaged 1.5 million total viewers -- but is a critical darling. It became the first basic cable program to win a major series category at the Primetime Emmy Awards with its best drama trophy last month.

Weiner won a drama series writing Emmy for his work on the show, which also was named best drama series at January's Golden Globes.